Hemigraphis alternata plant named &#39;HEGHE01&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘HEGHE01’ is a distinctive variety of  Hemigraphis altemata  which is characterized by pink and green to white and green variegation of the upper leaf surface, pink coloration of the lower leaf surface, highly bullate leaf texture, highly involuted leaf margins, particularly in immature foliage, with an upward to near-vertical leaf orientation, and a dense growth habit.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Hemigraphis altemata.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

The inventive variety of Hemigraphis altemata disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘HEGHE01’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety of Hemigraphis altemata, which has been given the variety denomination of ‘HEGHE01’. Its market class is that of an herbaceous perennial groundcover.

The primary intended use of Hemigraphis altemata is as a decorative foliage plant in ornamental containers, but it may also be used as a spreading groundcover in warm, tropical climates. The species is known for its attractive foliage color which can be described as an iridescent, metallic purple upper leaf surface and a solid purple lower leaf surface.

Parentage:

In June 2012, a spontaneous mutation of Hemigraphis altemata ‘exotica’ (unpatented), possessing white and green foliage variegation, was discovered at a commercial greenhouse facility in Apopka, Fla. in a stock crop of 9,778 nursery pots of Hemigraphis altemata ‘exotica’ that were originally planted from unrooted cuttings in November 2006. All other progeny in the crop maintained the foliage color that is typical of the parent. Each pot within the crop contained multiple vegetative cutting progeny and, upon closer examination, it was determined that the variegated mutation, or “sport”, resulted from a mutation on a lateral branch of one such vegetative cutting. Said sport was removed from the mother plant as a vegetative cutting in June 2012 and rooted in a separate area so its growth could be monitored. Subsequent vegetative cuttings were taken and rooted. It was found that the sport remained true to type. The new plant was finally selected in December 2012 and given the name ‘HEGHE01’.

Asexual Reproduction:

‘HEGHE01’ was first propagated asexually by vegetative cuttings at a commercial greenhouse in Apopka, Fla. and has since been asexually propagated through numerous successive generations with a total of 113,433 resulting progeny. The distinctive characteristics of the inventive ‘HEGHE01’ variety are stable from generation to generation; clones of the variety produced by asexual reproduction maintain the distinguishing characteristics of the original plant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘HEGHE01’ is a distinctive variety of Hemigraphis altemata ‘exotica’ which is characterized by pink and green to white and green variegation of the upper leaf surface, pink coloration of the lower leaf surface, highly bullate leaf texture, highly involuted leaf margins, particularly in immature foliage, with an upward to near-vertical leaf orientation, and a dense growth habit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary 5 week-old ‘HEGHE01’ plant.

FIG. 2 illustrates a comparison of ‘HEGHE01’ (on right) with the parent, Hemigraphis altemata ‘exotica’, on left. Both plants are 28 weeks old.

FIG. 3 illustrates the exemplary foliage variegation of ‘HEGHE01’ (on right) at various stages of development, from juvenile to intermediate to mature, by comparison with the parent, on left. Perspective is adaxial; juvenile leaf margins were out-rolled in order to display entire surface.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of a Hemigraphis altemata ornamental plant known as ‘HEGHE01’. Plant observations were made on plants grown at a commercial greenhouse in Apopka, Fla. Unless indicated otherwise, the descriptions disclosed herein are based upon observations made from 28 week-old, greenhouse-grown ‘HEGHE01’ plants grown from rooted cuttings in 15 cm nursery pots filled with soilless potting media, maintained with periodic applications of liquid slow-release fertilizer with a 20-20-20 (Nitrogen-Phosphorous-Potassium) formulation at a rate of 225 parts-per-million of Nitrogen. Plants were regularly watered with drip irrigation (pH 6.0) and systemic fungicides and insecticides were applied as pest treatment thresholds dictated. Approximate average temperature range in the greenhouse was between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and light levels ranged from 1500 to 1800 Foot-candles. No plant growth regulators were used.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, younger plants. ‘HEGHE01’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may vary with variations in the environment such as season, temperature, light intensity, day length, cultural conditions and the like. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 1986 edition. Note that generic color descriptions such as ‘purple’ do not exist in the R.H.S. charts and the corresponding R.H.S. colors are quoted.

‘HEGHE01’ is a perennial Hemigraphis altemata plant which is a spontaneous mutation of Hemigraphis altemata ‘exotica’, selected for its unique foliage characteristics and a dense growth habit. These features and other characteristics are apparent from the description provided below.

-   Growth habit, dimensions and color: -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant habit.—Creeping to mounding herbaceous perennial with             a fast growth rate. Juvenile and immature foliage with a             near vertical orientation.         -   Height.—22 cm as measured.         -   Width.—28 cm as measured.         -   Natural bloom period.—Sporadic; may bloom at any time of             year in warm environments.         -   Hardiness.—USDA Zone 10 to 11.         -   Environmental tolerances.—In common with the species; does             not tolerate drought, high salinity, low temperatures or             frost.         -   Pest and disease susceptibility or resistance.—In common             with the species; none of note.         -   Propagation.—Propagation is accomplished using vegetative             cuttings and plants root well without the use of a rooting             compound or hormone. Time to initiate root development is             approximately 7 to 12 days at approximately 70 degrees             Fahrenheit, with light levels of 1800-2000 Foot-candles. -   Roots: Fibrous and freely branched and also exhibits adventitious     rooting from aerial nodes. -   Stem:     -   -   Branching and habit.—Freely branching with numerous branches             ascending from all nodes.         -   Stem strength.—Weak; little rigidity.         -   Shape.—Cylindrical.         -   Stem color.—A combination of red-purple 63C and yellow-green             146D, with the predominant color being red-purple 63C.         -   Stem dimensions.—Longest stem measured at 140 mm. Stem             diameter ranges from 3 to 5 mm at the base.         -   Stem surface.—Soft and pubescent.         -   Internode length.—Highly variable throughout the plant;             generally ranges from 20 to 35 mm between the first and             second aerial nodes. -   Foliage:     -   -   Type.—Perennial.         -   Division.—Simple.         -   Arrangement.—Opposite, decussate.         -   Orientation.—Near-vertical in juvenile and intermediate             foliage and becoming upward and outward to horizontal in             mature foliage.         -   Attachment.—Petiolate.         -   Shape.—Ovate.         -   Apex.—Broadly acute.         -   Base.—Cordate.         -   Cross-section.—Involute.         -   Venation.—Reticulate.         -   Vein color (adaxial surfaces).—Basal portion of the midrib             is red-purple 63B, becoming green 138D along the apical half             of the midrib. All secondary veins are green 138D, except             becoming green-white 157B at and near the leaf margins.         -   Vein color (abaxial surfaces).—Red-purple 64A.         -   Margins.—Crenate and highly involute.         -   Texture.—Highly bullate; both adaxial and abaxial surfaces             are pubescent.         -   Mature leaf dimensions.—approximate length 80 mm, average             width 45 mm.         -   Leaf color (adaxial surface).—Juvenile: variegated with an             irregular pattern of greyed-green 191A at and near the             midrib, becoming red-purple 63D at and near the leaf margin;             Intermediate foliage: variegated with an irregular pattern             of greyed-green 191A at and near the midrib, becoming             red-purple 63B at and near the leaf margin; Mature:             variegated with an irregular pattern of greyed-green 191A at             and near the midrib, becoming yellow-white 158D at and near             the leaf margin.         -   Leaf color (abaxial surface).—Juvenile: variegated with an             irregular pattern of red-purple 70A at and near the midrib,             becoming red-purple 64A to 64B at and near the margin;             Intermediate foliage: variegated with an irregular pattern             of red-purple 70A at and near the midrib, becoming             greyed-purple 186A at and near the leaf margin; Mature:             variegated with an irregular pattern and exhibiting a             combination of red-purple 70B and 71A at and near the             midrib, becoming yellow 11D at and near the leaf margin.         -   Petiole.—Longest measured petioles are 55 mm; width is 3 mm.             Color is indistinguishable from the stem; lightly pubescent.         -   Stipules.—None. -   Inflorescence: Not yet observed. -   Flowers: Not yet observed. -   Reproductive organs: Not yet observed. -   Fruit and seed production: Not yet observed. -   Comparison of HEGHE01 with other varieties of Hemigraphis altemata:     By comparison with the parent, the leaves of ‘HEGHE01’ are     characterized by a by pink and green to white and green variegation     of the upper leaf surface as described above, whereas the adaxial     leaf surface of the parent is a solid color, corresponding to     yellow-green 147A in juvenile and intermediate foliage and becoming     greyed-purple (approximately 187A) at maturity. Likewise, the     abaxial leaf surface of ‘HEGHE01’ exhibits a pink to white     variegation as described herein, whereas the abaxial leaf surface of     the parent is a darker, solid color corresponding to a combination     of greyed-purple 186A and purple 79B in juvenile and intermediate     foliage and becoming greyed-purple 187A and 79A in mature foliage.     The stem color of ‘HEGHE01’ is a combination of red-purple 63C and     yellow-green 146D, with the predominant color being red-purple 63C,     whereas the stem color of the parent is a combination of     yellow-green 146D and greyed-purple 187A, with the predominant color     being greyed-purple 187D. Both ‘HEGHE01’ and the parent have a     bullate leaf texture however the expression of this characteristic     is more pronounced in ‘HEGHE01’. Also, leaf margins of ‘HEGHE01’ are     more highly involuted, particularly in immature foliage, when     compared with the parent. Furthermore, the leaf orientation of     ‘HEGHE01’ is upward to near-vertical, whereas leaf orientation in     the parent is upward and outward, translating to a slightly taller     plant height for ‘HEGHE01’. While ‘HEGHE01’ is slightly taller than     the parent, the stem internode length in ‘HEGHE01’ is shorter than     that of the parent, which translates to more nodes per plant and,     subsequently, a higher leaf count. This higher leaf count translates     to a denser growth habit. Stem internode length between the first     and second aerial internodes of ‘HEGHE01’ ranges from 20-35 mm     whereas in the parent the length of the same ranges from 30 to 50     mm. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Hemigraphis altemata plant named ‘HEGHE01’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 